T planning to bring back APL ration card | Hyderabad News
Hyderabad: The state govt is likely to reintroduce ration cards for above poverty line (APL) families in the state. Currently, ration cards are issued only to below poverty line (BPL) families, with annual income being considered as eligibility criterion.
The state govt is seriously considering introducing at least two categories of ration cards with different colours. While the cards for BPL families are likely to be white with a tri-colour border, those for APL families are likely to be green or another colour. A final decision on this issue will be made soon.
Although there was a two-card system in the undivided Andhra Pradesh for BPL and APL families, it was discontinued after the formation of Telangana. Only the white ration card system continued in the new state. Currently, only coarse variety rice is distributed through ration shops, and the govt is proposing to add other essential commodities like salt, sugar, edible oil, and pulses to be distributed through fair price shops to cardholders.
“The Congress govt is also studying the Chhattisgarh ration card system, where different categories of cards exist. The main idea behind reviving the two-card system or introducing a new system is that a substantial number of people obtain ration cards in Telangana not for rice, but for other purposes like availing the Aarogyasri scheme. The govt is working on the modalities of separating genuine BPL families from those who take cards for purposes other than rice. The two-card system will also help the govt substantially save on fine variety rice, which it plans to supply to cardholders after Ugadi,” a senior official said.
Ration cards are also important as they are issued by the govt and provide proof of identity, proof of residence, and proof of relationship”.
In addition to the Aadhaar card, the state govt is planning to link these ration cards, particularly the APL category, to other welfare schemes. Already, the existing ration cards are essential to avail schemes like Cheyutha pensions, Aarogyasri, and fee reimbursement, to name a few.
The govt is also working on the eligibility criteria to issue APL cards. Additionally, there are a large number of families with two ration cards, one in Telangana and another in Andhra Pradesh. The govt plans to give them an option to choose one.
The state govt is seriously considering introducing at least two categories of ration cards with different colours. While the cards for BPL families are likely to be white with a tri-colour border, those for APL families are likely to be green or another colour. A final decision on this issue will be made soon.
Although there was a two-card system in the undivided Andhra Pradesh for BPL and APL families, it was discontinued after the formation of Telangana. Only the white ration card system continued in the new state. Currently, only coarse variety rice is distributed through ration shops, and the govt is proposing to add other essential commodities like salt, sugar, edible oil, and pulses to be distributed through fair price shops to cardholders.
“The Congress govt is also studying the Chhattisgarh ration card system, where different categories of cards exist. The main idea behind reviving the two-card system or introducing a new system is that a substantial number of people obtain ration cards in Telangana not for rice, but for other purposes like availing the Aarogyasri scheme. The govt is working on the modalities of separating genuine BPL families from those who take cards for purposes other than rice. The two-card system will also help the govt substantially save on fine variety rice, which it plans to supply to cardholders after Ugadi,” a senior official said.
Ration cards are also important as they are issued by the govt and provide proof of identity, proof of residence, and proof of relationship”.
In addition to the Aadhaar card, the state govt is planning to link these ration cards, particularly the APL category, to other welfare schemes. Already, the existing ration cards are essential to avail schemes like Cheyutha pensions, Aarogyasri, and fee reimbursement, to name a few.
The govt is also working on the eligibility criteria to issue APL cards. Additionally, there are a large number of families with two ration cards, one in Telangana and another in Andhra Pradesh. The govt plans to give them an option to choose one.
